CMPD officers fatally shoot accused kidnapper who allegedly shot two others
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers shot and killed a person in west Charlotte who had been accused of shooting two other people, one fatally, and kidnapping a third.
Officers responded at 4 p.m. Thursday to a call about a shooting near the intersection of Hoskins Road and Black Avenue, Chief Johnny Jennings said in a video posted on X.
Police identified the suspect as Joseph Andrade, 28, on Friday morning.
CMPD identified the shooting victim who was killed as Justin Westbrook Carlton, 38.
A CMPD incident report said the shooting was in 300 block of North Hoskins Road. Carlton died after being taken to the hospital. Another man, not identified publicly by police, was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries, CMPD said.
Shortly after officers responded to the shooting, police got another call in the same area about a kidnapping and home invasion, Jennings said. CMPD said the suspect was driving a stolen vehicle.
Officers spotted the vehicle, with the suspect driving and a kidnapped woman in the passenger seat, the chief said.
Officers chased the vehicle while the suspect fired at their cars. The suspect crashed his vehicle at the intersection of Freedom Drive and West Morehead Street, got out and ran away. Officers continued the chase on foot.
Video from the near scene and image of a bloody vehicle was posted on the Charlittt Instagram page.
“As they were running, the suspect continued to fire rounds at officers,” Jennings said. Officers fired back and hit the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A firearm was recovered at the scene, the news release said.
None of the officers was hurt; the woman was uninjured. She was found near the scene, Jennings said.
Four officers were taken to the hospital as a precaution, the news release said.
The officers involved were placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol after a shooting involving police. The State Bureau of Investigation will investigate the shooting.
Correction: The suspect is accused of shooting two people, one fatally. An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information, and the story has been updated.
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM.
